Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 008B Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit: On January 24, 2017, the employer did not implement feasible engineering controls and work practices to reduce the employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit in the Blending Department where employees tack and bead weld stainless steel. General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following: a) Implement local exhaust ventilation (LEV) at each welding operation with 100-170 fpm capture velocity and 3000 fpm duct velocity [ACGIH Ventilation Manual]. b) Ensure maintenance is conducted on the LEV's to ensure they continue to operate at the manufacturer's specifications for effective aerosol removal. c) Avoid recirculating captured air back into occupied spaces unless the welding has been characterized to produce low quantities of contaminants. d) Eliminate LEL systems that recirculate air contaminated with hexavalent chromium. e) Test and balance the ventilation system to ensure optimal exhaust performance. Anytime an LEV is used the make-up air must be sufficient. f) Consider confinement of the welding operations to isolate the stainless steel welding activities known to have hexavalent chromium present within a space containing dedicated high efficiency capture systems. g) Eliminate broom sweeping in the area and use wet mopping and/or a high efficiency vacuum to capture the settled particles.